http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/debt-collection/1390-supreme-court-confirms-that-auto-dialers-are-off-limits-once-you-ask-for-collection-calls-to-stop" rel="nofollow - https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/debt-collection/1390-supreme-court-confirms-that-auto-dialers-are-off-limits-once-you-ask-for-collection-calls-to-stop
Supreme Court confirms that auto-dialers are off limits once you ask for collection calls to stop
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
{June 28, 2017} VICTORIA, BC – The Supreme Court of
British Columbia has confirmed Consumer Protection BC’s finding that CBV
Collection Services Ltd. (CBV), a national debt collection agency,
broke the province’s consumer protection law.
After the release of Consumer Protection BC’s https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/debt-collection/1236-reconsideration-notice-administrative-penalty-compliance-order-varied-for-bc-collection-agency" rel="nofollow - decision
in 2015, CBV disagreed with the interpretation of the law and applied
for a Judicial Review of the decision. The Supreme Court of British
Columbia judgment, published on June 21, 2017, confirms Consumer
Protection BC’s position that the company must stop attempting to
contact debtors after the person has requested that communication be in
writing only.
“This decision impacts tens of thousands of
British Columbians,” says Tayt Winnitoy, Executive Vice President for
Consumer Protection BC. “Our interpretation of the law has been tested.
It’s simple - if a debtor requests communication in writing only, they
are well within their right to do so. Collectors can’t keep trying to
reach them by phone; this includes the use of auto-dialers.”
A copy of the court’s full judgment is available on the http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/sc/17/10/2017BCSC1018.htm" rel="nofollow - Supreme Court of BC website . CBV has the right to file an appeal with the BC Court of Appeal within 30 days of the decision.
“This decision also sends a strong message to the rest of the debt
collection sector,” says Winnitoy. “The industry needs to recognize and
respect the laws about communicating with debtors. We now have
confirmation from the courts and if a collector is engaged in that
business practice, it must change.”
The law gives all Consumer
Protection BC-regulated businesses the opportunity to request a
reconsideration if they disagree with a decision. “Fairness and due
process are an essential part of our operations, and because of that we
are confident in our process and our understanding of the laws we
oversee,” says Winnitoy.
For more information about Consumer Protection BC’s reconsideration process, please https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/about-us/policies#Reconsiderations" rel="nofollow - click here.
There is a lot to know about debt collection in BC. https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/images/Media_room/2016_Backgrounder_-_Debt_Collection_FINAL.pdf" rel="nofollow - A backgrounder on debt collection and other information for businesses and the public are available at http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/" rel="nofollow - www.consumerprotectionbc.ca .
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Administrator
Mark OMeara
Author of Let Go and Heal: Recovery from Emotional Pain
https://LaughSingWrite.com - http://bit.ly/heal2024
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